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12:00-01

DAYCARE-STANDOFF

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=standoff

Texas police are negotiating this afternoon with a man holding several
children hostage at a daycare center.
Authorities say they're in constant contact with the gunman.
The standoff began yesterday when the he reportedly fled to the daycare
facility after attempting to rob a nearby bank.
More than 60 hostages were released last night and early this morning.
Police say at least two of the children still in the facility may be the
gunman's own children.
Police won't discuss reports that he is married to a day-care employee.
But witnesses say the couple have been having marital problems.
Jonathan Freed joins us from Plano with the latest on the standoff.
****take from NEwspath****
SUPER=01-Jonathan Freed/Reporting;
SUPER=05-Plano, TX;
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Plano, TX;
SUPER=01-Carl Duke/Plano Police Spokesman;
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=
SUPER=05-Plano, TX;
((
In Plano, Texas, the big question: why? Why did a man try to rob someone
outside a local bank, and then end up taking some five dozen children hostage
at gunpoint?
(natsot)

The standoff began Wednesday afternoon when police say James Lipscomb, Jr.
brandished a gun at the Rigsby Child Development Center.
Police opened a dialogue immediately. And four hours after taking control of
the building, Lipscomb let about 60 kids go, along with three adults.
For parents, friends, and family it was agony.
(SOT, PARENT, NAME TO COME)

As they were being released, the children's expressions varied from "joy" to
"worried" and "confused". Some of the young ones said they were scared for
their lives.
(SOT, CHILD, NAME TO COME)

The night was long, and filled with uncertainty. A SWAT team geared up. Then,
mid morning, another child was released, hustled to waiting police, and
reunited with a relieved parent.))

Bosnia

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Clinton

President Clinton says the U-S military mission in Bosnia will be extended
beyond the June 19-98 deadline.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington, DC;

The President says if the troops pull out too soon, Bosnia could fall back
into a war as bloody as the one that U-S diplomatic efforts helped to end.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
10:24:39-53
IN Q=ULTIMATELY BOSNIA'S FUTURE....
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=OF OWN INTERESTS AND VALUES.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Bosnia

The President isn't setting a deadline for U-S military involvement to end.
He says that will be determined by the NATO allies.
Clinton's scheduled to fly to Bosnia on Sunday to spread some holiday cheer.
Virginia Senators John Warner and Chuck Robb just returned from Bosnia.
SS=Warner, John

Warner -- who's waiting for Strom Thurmond to step down so he can take over
the Senate Armed Services Committee -- said yesterday that he ALSO supports a
continued U-S military presence in Bosnia.
Some eight-thousand U-S troops are stationed in Bosnia.

Southbound I-81 traffic was halted for more than an hour.
It happened about a mile south of the Roanoke exit.
Police say the driver of a utility-like truck slowed, apparently attempting
to make a U-turn.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-00:54:35
IN Q=IT WAS HIT FROM
((SGT L.W. FINLEY/STATE POLICE; IT WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY A TRACTOR TRAILER
TRAVELING NORTHBOUND WHICH PUSHED THE UTILITY TRUCK IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES
WHERE IT WAS STRUCK TWO MORE TIMES. ONCE BY A TANKER TRUCK WHICH WAS NOT LOADED
AND THE SECOND TIME BY A BOX TRACTOR AND TRAILER.))
SUPER=01-L. W. Finley/Virginia State Police;
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=AND TRAILER.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Police charged 31- year- old Jose Paneda with reckless driving. He was taken
to Roanoke Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
(----------------)

E-Carroll-Murder

An argument may have been the cause of an apparent murder suicide in Carroll
County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Cana;

Authorities say 51- year- old Fredrick Ray Edwards apparently shot his
live-in girlfriend before turning the gun on himself Tuesday.
Deputies found Edwards and 35- year- old Mary Ruth Hiatt dead in the front
yard of their Cana home.
Sheriff Warren Manning says the number of domestic calls often rises around
the holidays.
(/////SOT/////)
9:08:55
SOT
IN Q=I feel
((WARREN MANNING/CARROLL CO. SHERIFF:I FEEL LIKE AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME,
ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE PROBLEMS AROUND CHRISTMAS MEMORIES, AND WE DO HAVE
PROBLEMS WITH DOMESTIC CALLS WITH THE SITUATION WE'RE IN NOW A DAYS, AND YES, I
DO THINK THERE ARE MORE AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME. ))
SUPER=01-Warren Manning/Carroll Co. Sheriff; :00
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=christmas time.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Family members say Edwards had been depressed and drinking a lot but
appeared to be in a good mood a couple of days ago.
The couple did NOT have a record of domestic violence.
(----------------)

5-Patient-Care

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tfl
TAPE#597-47
GRAPHIC=trigon

Thousands of people will feel the effects of failed contract negotiations
between two companies.
Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield has dropped three area Columbia
H-C-A-Healthcare hospitals from its preferred provider list.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;

Montgomery Regional hospital C-E-O David Williams says the change treats
policyholders unfairly--because it limits choice.
Williams says policyholders should call Trigon to express their concerns.
pre pro
An estimated 30 to 35 thousand policyholders will be affected by the
change, which would go in effect January 31st for most subscribers.
State and local government employees coverage will be honored at Lewis-Gale,
Montgomery Regional and Pulaski Community hospitals through June 30th.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Also policies will be extended to patients who are receiving care from one
of the three hospitals on February First and women in the third trimester of
pregnancy.
The change does not effect Trigon's medicare supplemental policy customers.

L'burg-Legislation

Central Virginia lawmakers got an earful this morning about what the city of
Lynchburg wants to see happen in the next General Assembly.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg

Legislators met with city leaders to discuss Lynchburg's legislative
priorities for the next session.
The city already has been promised three and a half million dollars in state
money to help overhaul its sewer system.
Lynchburg officials want to make sure projects like that make the final
budget cut.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 2:06:11
IN Q=There's a lot
((SEN. STEVE NEWMAN/R- LYNCHBURG: THERE'S A LOT OF ANTICIPATION AND HIGH
EXPECTATION THAT ALL OF THIS MONEY IS GOING TO BE RETAINED IN THE BUDGET. OUR
JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IS, AND MAKE THE PROPER DEFENSE
STRATEGIES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO KEEP IT THERE.))
SUPER=01-Sen. Steve Newman/(R) Lynchburg; :00
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=keep it there.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The city is also asking for 200- thousand dollars to construct a boat ramp
for its new James River park.
(----------------)

E-Allen-Lynchburg

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-83
GRAPHIC=Allen

Some consider it an early Christmas gift for the city of Lynchburg.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg

As we mentioned, with a billion dollar surplus to play with, Allen is using
a portion of it to fund Lynchburg's Sewer Overflow project.
The governor considers it one of the top priorities in his final budget.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:48:18
IN Q=All of those
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: ALL OF THESE ITEMS I WANT THE PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF SO THE
LEGISLATORS, TO THE EXTENT THEY ARE TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE, WILL
THEN ACT IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER AND KEEP THIS FUNDING IN THERE, WHETHER IT'S
FOR THE PEOPLE OF LYNCHBURG, OR ROANOKE OR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA OR THE RICHMOND
AREA OR WHEREVER IT MAY BE.))
SUPER=@Allen; :00
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=wherever it may be.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Lynchburg needs to spend about 300 million dollars over the next 25 years to
overhaul its sewer system.
City leaders say every dollar of state money will help.
(----------------)

Tokyo-Subway

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

A tear gas attack on a crowded Tokyo commuter train during the
morning rush hour sent nearly 50 people to the hospital.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Tokyo, Japan;

Police said a pickpocket gang sprayed tear gas as part of a mass
pickpocket attempt.
It set off a panic as commuters feared it could be a repeat of the 19-95
sarin nerve gas attack on Tokyo's subway system, in which 11 people died and
thousands were injured.
Police arrested the man who sprayed the tear gas.
(----------------)

E-Gretna-Principal

Between 19-91 and 19-94 a former Gretna Elementary School's assistant
principal allegedly engaged in a sexual act with a teenage student.
Theodore Richard Jones Junior faces molestation charges.
Earlier this month the school board appointed a replacement for his
assistant principal position.
Former colleagues say Jones helped organize business partnerships and
volunteer programs at the school.

E-1-Charter-Schools

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-81
GRAPHIC=education

From pros to cons charter schools have been hotly debated.
In the next few months, Virginia's General Assembly may finally back them.
So what exactly is a charter school?
Ellen Qualls crossed the border to North Carolina to check one out.
Today and tomorrow, we take a look at just that school.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I love coming here
SUPER=01-Rob Barrow/Charter School Student; :00
SUPER=03-Rocky Mount, NC; :09
SUPER=01-Bob Mauldin/Charter School Board Chairman; :25
SUPER=@Ellen2; :34
SUPER=01-Cheryl Ellis/Charter School Teacher; 1:48
RUNS=2:15
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7.

(( sot tape two 12:09:13
((ROB BARROW/CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENT: I LOVE COMING HERE EVERY DAY. AT THE OLD
SCHOOL, I'D ACT LIKE I WAS SICK SO I COULD STAY OUT.))
runs=:07

This is NOT an ad for Charter Public School in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
It's only three months old, so expectations are still high.
Local business leaders went over the head of the local school board and got
a charter from the state to start their own school with their own rules.
Accountability comes in the contract.
sot tape two 11:47:13
((BOB MAULDIN: IN THE APPLICATION, WE SAID OUR TEST SCORES WOULD BE TEN
PERCENT HIGHER. AND THAT SHOULD BE EASY TO DO.))
runs=:10

There's also daily economic incentive.
Parents decide if the four thousand and 25 dollars per child the state pays
goes to THIS school, or to the regular public school.
SOT TAPE TWO 11:54:09
((WE LOOK AT OUR PARENTS AS OUR CUSTOMERS. AND IF WE DON'T SERVE THEM, THEY'RE
GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. I THINK THAT'S GOOD.))
RUNS=:11

There's no tenure for teachers.
The students wear uniforms.
They have a longer school day.
They have a longer school year.
And then there's the lessons on virtues, like kindness.
And the way they walk in the hall, hands clasped.
sot TAPE TWO 12:07:59
((ROB BARROW/CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENT: THE OLD SCHOOL I WENT TO PEOPLE WOULD HIT
EACH OTHER IN THE HALLS. AND IT GOT TOO VIOLENT.))
runs=:08

nat sot
(( ))
runs=:05

But the biggest change is the curriculum: direct instruction.. a throwback
to the 70s.
sot 12:08:12 tape two
((ROB BARROW/CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENT: DIRECT INSTRUCTION IS GREAT. YOU READ
SOMETHING AND IF YOU DON'T DO THAT PART RIGHT, YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND DO THE
WHOLE STORY AGAIN. SO UNTIL YOU GET THE WHOLE THING RIGHT.))
runs=:22

sot tape three 12:40:09
((CHERYL ELLIS/CHARTER SCHOOL TEACHER: THE NASH-ROCKY MOUNT SCHOOL BOARD IS
CONSIDERING CONTRACTING WITH ANOTHER COMPANY, AT ONE OF THEIR ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS TO DO DIRECT INSTRUCTION. TO HAVE A LONGER SCHOOL YEAR AND A LONGER
SCHOOL DAY. AND THE ENTIRE ARTICLE SAYS "JUST LIKE THE CHARTER SCHOOL!" JUST
LIKE THE CHARTER SCHOOL!" SO YOU KNOW, THEY'RE AT LEAST CONVINCED THERE'S
MERIT.))
runs=:20

In our next segment, questions about how this experiment will work for ALL
Rocky Mount's children.
Ellen Qualls, News 7.))

Allen-College

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=education

The future of higher education in Virginia may not be as pricey as you
thought.
SS=Allen, george

Governor Allen's budget for the next two years would keep a tuition freeze
and includes money for pay raises for professors.
Allen will present his budget plan to the General Assembly tomorrow.
He recommended 172 million dollars for the schools, about half of which
would go to bring the salaries of instructors at state colleges into the
60th percentile nationally.

LION-CAPTURED

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

In Kissimmee, Florida Nala (NAHL- LA) the runaway lion is safely back in her
cage.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Kissimmee, FL;

Zoo officials caught up with the 450 pound lioness yesterday, shot her with a
tranquilizer dart and used a ladder to carry her back to her pen in the
Jungleland Zoo.
Nala stayed close to home while on the loose and is reported to be in good
condition.
(----------------)

Ernie

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=djo
TAPE#97-90
GRAPHIC=Christmas

As Christmas inches closer, the sought after toys become even more scarce.
Some shoppers are turning to the classified ads.
But that can mean higher prices.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Sing And Snore Ernie doll costs about 30-dollars, if you're lucky enough
to find it in a toy store.
In the classifieds the price can run thirteen times higher.
Some have reservations about spending or charging that much.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-17:44:08
IN Q=I'D BE LESS THAN
((ELIZABETH JAMISON/SING AND SNORE OWNER; I'D BE LESS THAN HONEST IF I SAID I
DIDN'T HAVE QUALMS ABOUT IT. SO FAR, IT HASN'T PRESENTED ITSELF BECAUSE WE
HAVEN'T HAD ANYONE WHO REALLY WANTS TO BUY IT. SO WHEN THE TIME COMES, I'LL
PROBABLY HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH MY CONSCIENCE AT THAT POINT. ))
SUPER=01-Elizabeth Jamison/Sing And Snore Owner;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=AT THAT POINT
(----------------)
VO-NAT

It's still something of a bargain.
People surfing the Internet for a seven-dollar Beanie Baby in honor of
Princess Diana will find asking prices upward of eight-hundred dollars.
(----------------)

Cave

Cave Spring lanced its local rival the Salem Spartans on the high school
hardwood last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Spartans vs. Knights; :

Salem's Herschel Thomas took charge early in the game as he goes in for the
reverse layup Salem led by three points.
The Knights took the lead when Mark Snodgrass fires the ball inside to
Michael Hamlar who gets the basket for a 9 to 8 lead.
Salem Guard Sammy Lazzaro scores this three pointer to tie the game early in
the first half.
The teams picked up the pace Cave SUPER=33-Cave
Spring/54/Salem/49/;Spring's Daniel Penn gets the pass down court and goes in
for the basket as Cave Spring wins it 54 to 49.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Hold Logo

Wizards

The Washington Wizards were at home last night for a game against the Miami
Heat.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Washington, DC/HTS; :

Isaac Austin, scores inside cutting the Washington lead to four.
But Rod Strickland comes right back takes it to the hoop for the score and
the Wizards led 8 to 2.
Washington would build its lead to 10 points going to Juwan Howard who hits
the jumper in the first quarter.
Alonzo Mourning entered the game in SUPER=32-Washington/88/Miami/74/;the
first quarter here he scores 2 of His 24 points but the Wizards win the game 88
to 74.
(-------------)

USC

Kansas City Chief's offensive coordinator Paul Hackett has a new job this
morning.
Yesterday University of Southern California head football coach John
Robinson was fired.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=04-NCAA; :

The university fired Robinson just two seasons after he led the Trojans to a
Rose bowl victory.
The team finished this season with a 6 and 5 record and failed to receive a
bowl bid which can ad thousands of dollars if not more to a school's athletic
department.
Robinson was 104, 35-and 4 over 12 seasons.
Hackett was one of Robinson's assistants at U-S-C from 19-76 to 19-80.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="he has worked
((MIKE GARRETT/USC ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: ))
SUPER=01-Mike Garrett/USC Athletic Director; :
RUNS=:25
OUT Q=.......COACH HERE."
(-------------)

Golden-Globes

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

It doesn't hit movie theatres until tomorrow, but already the feature film
"Titanic" is the top contender for the Golden Globe awards.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Beverly Hills, CA;
11:15:27
It captured a leading eight nominations this morning, including best
dramatic motion picture and best dramatic actor and actress.
"As Good As It Gets" has six nominations.
"L.A. Confidential" has five.
And "Amistad" and "Good Will Hunting" each have four nominations.
Winners will be announced January 18th.
(----------------)

ITT-Promo

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=SGO
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

If you still haven't found the perfect gift for the hunter, outdoorsman or
spy in your family...
I-T-T Night Vision has a suggestion.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;

Tonight on News-7 at six...
Check out one of the season's more unique--and expensive--stocking stuffers.
Night Finder goggles use the same technology armies use to fight the enemy
after dark.
A similar product is now on sale to the public in Roanoke.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE
We'll take a look..and see who's buying them..tonight on News-7.